3tail

Definition of TAIL

Origin of TAIL

4tail

Definition of TAIL

Origin of TAIL

Middle English taille, from Anglo-French taylé, past participle of tailler to cut, limit — more at tailor

First Known Use: 15th century

TAIL Defined for Kids

1tail

noun\ˈtāl\

Definition of TAIL for Kids

1

: the rear part of an animal or a usually slender flexible growth that extends from this part

2

: something that in shape, appearance, or position is like an animal's tail <the tail of a coat>

3

: the back, last, or lower part of something <the tail of an airplane>

4

: the side or end opposite the head

— tailed\ˈtāld\adjective

— tail·less\ˈtāl-ləs\adjective

2tail

verb

tailedtail·ing

Definition of TAIL for Kids

: to follow closely to keep watch on <Police tailed the suspect.>

Medical Dictionary

tail

noun ,often attrib\ˈtā(ə)l\

Medical Definition of TAIL

1

: the rear end or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body of an animal

2

: one end of a molecule regarded as opposite to the head; especially: the end of a lipid molecule that consists of a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and is opposite to the polar group <most surface-active agents have a long hydrophobic tail attached to a polar head—R. E. Kirk & D. F. Othmer>

3

: any of various parts of bodily structures that are terminal: as a: the distal tendon of a muscle b: the slender left end of the human pancreas c: the common convoluted tube that forms the lower part of the epididymis

4

: the motile part of a sperm that extends from the middle piece to the end and comprises the flagellum

5

: a thin protein tube which forms part of the coat of some bacteriophages and through which DNA is injected into a cell